Excel feels empty until you know the first few moves. Start with a current Excel app, create one workbook, enter a small table, save it, and use Excel's built-in search when a command disappears.
Use Microsoft's Excel page for the official entry point. Choose Download Excel for Windows, Download Excel for Android, Download Excel for iOS, Download Excel for MacOS, or Open Excel under Web Portal.
On Windows or Mac, sign in at m365.cloud.microsoft/apps and choose Install apps. This path needs a plan that includes the desktop apps; a web- or mobile-only plan never shows the installer, so work in Excel for the web instead. If this is your first install and your copy came with a product key, redeem it first at microsoft365.com/setup, because that is what adds the license to your Microsoft account. On Windows, finish with Run, Setup, or Save File, then approve Yes and select Close; on Mac, open Finder > Downloads > Microsoft Office installer.pkg (the name might vary slightly), then choose Continue, Agree, Install, Install Software, and Close.
After installation, open Start, type Excel, select Excel, and accept the license agreement. On Mac, open Launchpad, select Excel, and choose Get Started in the What's New window.
Open a current Excel app
This fixes setup confusion by putting you in a supported Excel version before you start.
Use Microsoft 365 or Office 2024 for current support and security.
Skip Excel 2013, because Office 2013 support ended on April 11, 2023.
Skip Excel 2016 and Excel 2019, because Office 2016 and Office 2019 support ended on October 14, 2025.
On a Chromebook, go to Microsoft365.com in the browser, because Microsoft documents browser access there and Android Office apps on Chromebook are not currently supported.
Create your first workbook
Start with a blank workbook and one cell so Excel stops feeling like a wall of boxes.
- 1.Open Excel and select Blank workbook.
- 2.Use Ctrl+N when you want another blank workbook from the keyboard.
- 3.Select an empty cell such as A1.
- 4.Type text or a number into the cell.
- 5.Press Enter or Tab to move to the next cell.
Fill a simple series
AutoFill continues a pattern you have already started. Type the beginning of a series in one cell, such as Jan or 2014, then type the next item in the following cell, such as Feb or 2015.
Select the two cells together and drag the fill handle across or down the cells to extend the series.
If AutoFill does not create the pattern you expected, check that you selected both starting cells before dragging the fill handle.
Save and reopen your workbook
This fixes the lost-file problem by saving the workbook before you keep practicing.
Press Ctrl+S or select File > Save.
Enter a file name the first time Excel asks.
Use F12 or select File > Save a Copy when you want another version.
On iPhone or iPad, tap File > Save a Copy, choose where to save it, enter a file name, and tap Save a Copy.
To open a file later on Windows, select File > Open, choose the Open icon, or press Ctrl+O.
On Mac, select File > Open, choose the Open icon, or press Command+O.
Use Excel in a browser
Excel for the web works from Microsoft365.com or OneDrive when your workbook is stored online. In OneDrive, select + Create or upload > Excel workbook.
Select the generic file name on the top ribbon, enter a new name in File Name, and edit the workbook in the browser.
If the desktop save or open path gets in your way, create or upload the workbook in OneDrive and keep working from Microsoft365.com.
Start with templates
Use templates when you want a working spreadsheet layout or a guided practice file instead of a blank sheet.
- 1.In Excel, select File > New.
- 2.Search for a template, select one, then create or edit it.
- 3.For training files, select File > New and search for learning.
- 4.On Microsoft's Try it with templates page, choose Download under Welcome to Excel; under Learning walkthroughs, select Formula tutorials, PivotTable tutorial, or another named walkthrough.
Find commands while you learn
Use this when you know what you want to do but cannot find the button. Excel's search and help surfaces can find commands, help topics, files, people, and recent actions.
Select the Microsoft Search box at the top of the app, or press Alt+Q, then type the command, help topic, file, or person you want.
Use Tell me what you want to do or the lightbulb when that interface is shown; Microsoft says some users see Search instead with identical functionality.
On iPhone, tap the light bulb to the right of the Home tab. On iPad, use the light bulb near the top right; on Android, tap the light bulb button and type what you want to do.
Undo a mistake with Ctrl+Z or Undo on the Quick Access Toolbar. Redo with Ctrl+Y, F4, or Redo.
Rest the pointer on a ribbon command or control to read ScreenTips. Office options can show or hide them, and Enhanced ScreenTips can include more descriptive text and Help links.
Share and print from Excel for the web
When the workbook is open in Excel for the web and stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, select Share, enter email addresses, or choose Copy Link and send the link.
Keep the workbook open in Excel for the web while other people edit it; their presence and updates appear while everyone works there.
To print a selection, select cells or a chart, then choose File > Print. Choose Print Active Sheets or Print Entire Workbook as needed, then select Print in preview.
If sharing or printing is unavailable, confirm the workbook is open in Excel for the web from OneDrive or SharePoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Excel without installing it?
Yes. Go to Microsoft365.com or OneDrive, create or upload an Excel workbook, and edit it in the browser. On Chromebook, Microsoft documents Microsoft365.com browser access, and Android Office apps on Chromebook are not currently supported.
What is the quickest way to start a blank workbook?
Open Excel and select Blank workbook, or press Ctrl+N. In OneDrive, use + Create or upload > Excel workbook.
Can Copilot help me learn Excel?
With Copilot access through Microsoft 365 Personal, Family, or Premium, or a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, open a workbook and use the Copilot Dynamic Action Button, Alt+C on Windows/Web, Cmd+Control+I on Mac/Web, or F6 on any platform. Then type a prompt or ask a question about the file.
Why does Excel say Unlicensed Product?
On work or school accounts, removing a license can cause Office apps to show Unlicensed Product or activation errors. Ask your administrator to confirm your license; for a personal install, open Excel and complete the activation prompt.